Rocco DiSpirito’s Easy Turkey Dinner

Discover the story

Looking for an easy way to put together a fabulous Thanksgiving turkey dinner that checks all the boxes?

You are in luck because Chef Rocco DiSpirito is back on WOT with his Easy Turkey Dinner recipe that you won’t want to miss.

Why We love this recipe: This recipe is tasty and takes less than one hour to prepare! It is perfect for Thanksgiving or any other time of year you are in the mood for a turkey dinner. Rocco tells us, “Poaching the turkey keeps the turkey moist without any added fat. Plus, the poaching liquid is used for stuffing and making the gravy”.

Bonus: If your dinner is going to be small this year, this recipe is the perfect way to get all the flavors of Thanksgiving, without preparing a giant meal!

Rocco DiSpirito’s Easy Turkey Dinner

Servings

Author Rocco DiSpirito

Equipment

Deep fry thermometer

Ingredients

4 cups low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth
1 pound fresh or completely thawed turkey breast, trimmed of all visible fat
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped celery
salt
freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning, such as Spice Hunter
4 oz. cubed stale 100% whole-wheat bread
1 tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
4-1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 cup no-sugar-added cranberry sauce, such as Steel's Gourmet Agave

Instructions

In a medium pot with a candy thermometer or deep-fry thermometer attached, heat the broth. When the liquid reaches 165 degrees F, with barely any bubbles reaching the surface, add the turkey. Adjust the heat if necessary, to keep the temperature at 165 degrees F.
Use foil to cover the pot around the thermometer and poach the turkey until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 150 degrees F, about 30 to 40 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the turkey rest in the poaching liquid for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat. When hot, add the olive oil. Add the onions and celery and cook until the vegetables are soft about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the poultry seasoning and bread. Stir to combine. Lower the heat to low and add the poaching liquid, 1/2 cup at a time (about 1 cup total), to the pan to moisten the bread.
Stir well, and then cover. Cook until the bread is moist and hot, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Remove the thermometer from the pot and bring the poaching liquid up to a simmer. In a small bowl, add the cornstarch. Whisk in about 1/2 cup of the poaching liquid, and then pour the mixture back into the pot. Turn up the heat so that the liquid boils.
Turn down the heat and simmer until the liquid thickens and reduces in volume by a third, about 10 minutes. If the liquid is too thin, mix more cornstarch with some liquid from the pot and stir it back into the simmering gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Slice the turkey breast as thinly as possible. Serve with the stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce.